Following two drawn games, one home the other away without a goal, the Cherries broke that deadlock against a Manchester United team that has been struggling to find consistent form this season. Again with a stubborn defence and our goalkeeper making the saves needed, AFCB kept a third clean sheet running. The only goal came from a very good build-up from the Cherries, which culminated in a brilliant goal from Josh King, he flicked the ball up into the air and then turned and beat the Manchester United keeper with a hard low shot into the net. With that build-up to our goal there were signs of what we know our team are capable of. This will build more confidence as the team and our fans make the longest journey this season up to the North East to face a Newcastle United (the Magpies) side who had their second away win of the season and highest number of goals they have scored home or away this season, 2-3 against West Ham on Saturday. This will be our last game before another international break. Even though it is our furthest destination, it seems it is a popular one with our fans.
Newcastle v AFCB
Newcastle to Win
Draw
AFCB to Win
The Magpies are managed by Steve Bruce who was born in Corbridge a village about 18 miles from Newcastle. Bruce took over the job in the Summer when former and popular manager Rafael Benítez left to take up a post at a Chinese club. Bruce left Sheffield Wednesday after a short period with the club to take up his new post. In the Summer Newcastle signed seven players, the most expensive and a club-record signing for the Brazilian striker Joelinton for £40 million from Hoffenheim, in 11 Premier League appearances he has scored 1 goal. Winger Allan Saint-Maximin signed from Nice for £20 million. Players for undisclosed fees, defender Emil Krafth from Amiens, Kyle Scott from Chelsea and Jake Turner from Bolton. Andy Carroll a popular player with the Newcastle fans joins on a free transfer from West Ham. Coming in on loan from Frankfurt is defender Jetro Willems.
Newcastle United started off the Premier League season with two defeats, first at home against Arsenal 0-1 and the first away game lost at newly promoted Norwich City 3-1. They then claimed the scalp of Tottenham Hotspur in an away victory by 0-1. The last game in August was back home with a 1-1 draw with Watford. The first away game in September started with a 3-1 defeat at Anfield against Liverpool. The next game was at home and it ended 0-0 against Brighton. The Magpies travelled down to Leicester and had their heaviest defeat of the season so far, being thumped 5-0. That heavy defeat instead of having a negative effect on the Magpies, did the opposite and they had their first win on their own ground beating Manchester United 1-0. Away in London for the next game and a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea. Their last home game to date was against Wolverhampton Wanderers, it finished honours even with a 1-1 draw. Their most recent game at the London Stadium they beat West Ham 2-3, after being 0-3 up at one stage. This win took Newcastle up to 15th in the table with 12 points, eight places and four points behind 7th placed AFCB.
After two wins at Newcastle in the Premier League, last season the Cherries fell to a 2-1 defeat.
In our league trips to Newcastle, we have Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 2. In all competitions, AFCB have Won 5, Drawn 3 and Lost 3.
Newcastle Team News
Florian Lejeune has been out with a knee injury and the game on Saturday may be a little early for his return to the first-team squad. Fabian Schar also out with a knee injury should be available. Our old player Matt Ritchie who has been out with an ankle injury for two months has been back in training but the game against his old club will probably be too soon. They will also be missing Sean Longstaff after he received a red card against Wolves.
Newcastle Player To Watch
Allan Saint-Maximin, looked a very tricky player against Wolves recently in their televised last home game. He gave the West Ham defence problems with his pace in their most recent game at the London Stadium and on a one to one with the keeper, probably should have scored.
AFCB Team News
Big loss for us on Saturday will be the absence of Jefferson Lerma who for me got an unnecessary fifth yellow card against Manchester United for a spate of ‘handbags’ with a United player. There was talk that Dan Gosling might have been back in the squad last week, but that wasn’t the case. Maybe this week with Lerma missing? Otherwise no new injury news apart from those who have been out for a while.
AFCB Player To Watch
Last week before the Manchester United game and with Callum Wilson not showing his usual form, was hoping Josh King would find his scoring boots again, he duly obliged! So hope he can carry that on against the Magpies on Saturday, he looked sharp and took his goal well last Saturday.
Our referee is Martin Atkinson.
We had him away at Villa and Arsenal this season.
